Whether you love it or despise it, fashion (or anti-fashion, as it were) makes a statement about our values and our mood, both collectively and individually. Take a look at some of the Mechanics’ Institute staff selections for this month and maybe you’ll find that fashion can be a more complex topic of inquiry than you might have thought, with titles such as Fashion and Its Social Agendas: Class, Gender, and Identity in Clothing, and Queen of Fashion: What Marie Antoinette Wore to the Revolution. If you’re already fascinated by textiles, fashion, and its accompanying culture, there’s plenty here to whet your appetite for this visual and tactile subject.
Here are a few of our picks:
Taryn selected Dressed to Rule: Royal and Court Costume from Louis XIV to Elizabeth II by Philip Mansel
Why do you think they called him the Sun King? Not because he dressed in black! Learn how fashion has been influenced over time by the whims, desires, and styles of the royal court.
Sharon's picks reflect her interest in knitting:
Nicky Epstein’s Signature Scarves: Dazzling Designs to Knit by Nicky Epstein
Jewelry with a Hook: Crocheted Fiber Necklaces, Bracelets & More by Terry Taylor
Crochet Noro: 30 Dazzling Designs edited by Joy Aquilino, Michelle Bredeson, and Christina Behnke
Make your own! The best way to showcase your individuality is to put your creative skills to work. Making your own jewelry or accessory, such as a scarf or hat, allows total freedom in selecting your colors and fibers that feel good on your skin. If you are a knitter, try Nicky Epstein’s Signature Scarves as a starting point for ideas. Crochet some jewelry, using Jewelry with a Hook by Terry Taylor. For the sheer fun of color, I recommend Crochet Noro, a delightful collection of accessories using one of the best colored yarns available.
Heather chose Jacqueline Kennedy: the White House Years : Selections from the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum by Hamish Bowles, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and Rachel Lambert Mellon
In this book, the Metropolitan Museum of Art presents images from the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum which exhibit the simplicity of Jackie’s inimitable style. This is a collection of lovely photographs to peruse while daydreaming about your own ideal wardrobe.
As usual, we’ll be adding additional titles in fiction and fashion throughout the month, so check in often at the second floor display!
